Reel

ABSTRACT

It is an object to provide a reel capable of expecting strength and dimensional accuracy almost equivalent to those of a metal reel, preventing product failures from being caused by the generation of metal powder, exchanging only a damaged part even in the case in which the part of a member for protecting the reel main body is damaged, being manufactured at a low cost by the miniaturization of a metal mold structure, and preventing a carrier tape and a wiring pattern from being damaged or broken as much as possible.  
     The reel including a reel main body  10   a  is characterized by comprising; 
         a core member  2  made of resin on which a lengthy tape is taken up;    a spoke member  4  made of resin that is arranged radially on the both edges of the core member  2  and that regulates the movement in the transverse direction of the tape taken up on the core member  2 ; and    a ring-shaped member  6  that is arranged to be coupled with the spoke member  4;      wherein the ring-shaped member  6  includes a ring-shaped stiffener member  14  made of metal used as a stiffener material and includes a cover member  15  made of resin that covers the ring-shaped stiffener member  14.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a reel that is used for feeding andtaking up a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components andthat can house a film carrier tape for mounting electronic componentswhile protecting it in each process such as manufacturing, inspection,and mounting of IC chips for a film carrier tape for mounting electroniccomponents (a TAB (Tape Automated Bonding) tape, a COF (Chip on Film)tape, a T-BGA (Tape Ball Grid Array) tape, a CSP (Chip Size Package)tape, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) tape, a 2-metal(double-sided wiring) tape, a tape for multilayer wiring, or the like)(which will be hereinafter referred to as “a film carrier tape formounting electronic components” or simply “a film carrier tape”).

BACKGROUND ART

With the development of electronics industries, a demand for a printedcircuit board for mounting an electronic component such as an IC(integrated circuit) chip and an LSI (large scale integrated circuit)chip has exponentially been increased. However, a reduction in a size, adecrease in a weight, and an enhancement in a function for an electronicapparatus have been demanded, and a mounting method using an FPC(flexible printed circuit) and a film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components such as a TAB tape, a COF tape, a BGA tape, anASIC tape, and a 2-metal (double-sided wiring) tape has recently beenemployed as a method for mounting these electronic components. In theelectronics industry using a liquid crystal display (LCD) for which anincrease in a fineness, a reduction in a thickness, and a decrease inthe frame area of a liquid crystal panel are demanded, for example, apersonal computer, a television, a portable telephone, or the like, animportance thereof has been increased in particular.

In addition, a demand for a film carrier tape has also been extremelyincreased in the field of a printing control for a printer that isconnected to a personal computer.

In general, such a film carrier tape for mounting electronic componentsis manufactured through each processing such as exposure, development,etching, resist stripping, solder resist treatment, electricalinspection, and visual inspection.

In particular, in each processing during the manufacturing process, afilm carrier tape for mounting electronic components that was wound on areel is fed out, specified processing is performed, the film carriertape for mounting electronic components to which the processing wascompleted is wound again on a take-up reel, and the whole reel with thetape is carried to the place of the next processing.

As a reel of a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components thatis used for such a purpose, a reel made of aluminum has been preferablyused from a viewpoint of strength, dimensional accuracy, and lightweightin the manufacturing process in particular.

However, in the case of a reel made of aluminum, rubbing contact betweenreels or between a reel and a film carrier tape for mounting electroniccomponents causes metal powder (dust) of aluminum to be generated, andsuch metal powder of aluminum adheres to the film carrier tape formounting electronic components. Thus, in many cases, such metal powdermay cause irreparable short-circuit of wiring patterns.

As described in the Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-OpenPublication No. 2002-274758), it has been proposed that the surface of areel made of aluminum is plated with magnetic metal such as nickel ormagnetic alloy, and magnetic metal powder generated by rubbing contactor the like is adsorbed by a magnet. However, even in the case in whichmagnetic metal powder is adsorbed by a magnet, it is difficult that theentire magnetic metal powder is adsorbed completely, and therefore apart of magnetic metal powder may remain on the surface of a tape.

Alternatively, a reel made of resin can be used to prevent metal powderfrom being generated.

However, in the case in which a reel made of resin, for instance, alarge size resin reel is used in the manufacturing process of a filmcarrier tape, since a length of the tape taken up on the reel is 80 m orlonger (120 m for example), the entire tape is too heavy and massive. Asa result, the strength of the reel tends to be insufficient.

In addition, a large size metal mold with a complicated structure isrequired to form a large size reel made of resin, thus causing a cost ofa metal mold to be increased.

Moreover, in the case in which two massive reels on which a tape hasbeen taken up collide with each other, a part of a side plate may bedamaged. Even in the case in which a damage of a reel occurs, thepartial repair of the reel cannot be performed. Therefore, themaintenance of the reel cannot be efficiently implemented.

Furthermore, for a reel made of resin, a side plate section of a reelmay be bent in the case in which the reel is carried, thus causing adistance between the both side plate sections of the reel to be changed.

As a result, in the case in which a distance between the both side platesections of the reel is longer than the specified width, the right andleft edge sections (edges in the transverse direction) of a film carriertape for mounting electronic components may move in the transversedirection, thus causing the right or left edge section of the filmcarrier tape to be damaged or broken. On the contrary, in the case inwhich a distance between the both side plate sections of the reel isshorter than the specified width, the right and left edge sections(edges in the transverse direction) of a film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components may be bent, thus causing the wiring pattern to bedamaged in the section on which an electronic component is mounted.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-274758

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been made in order to solve the aboveproblems. An object of the present invention is to provide a reelcapable of maintaining strength and dimensional accuracy almostequivalent to those of a metal reel, preventing product failures frombeing caused by the generation of metal powder, exchanging only adamaged part even in the case in which the part of the reel is damaged,being manufactured at a low cost by the miniaturization of a metal moldstructure, and preventing a carrier tape and a wiring pattern from beingdamaged or broken.

Means for Solving the Problems

A reel of the present invention includes a reel main body comprising:

a core member made of resin on which a lengthy tape is taken up;

a spoke member made of resin that is arranged radially on the both edgesof the core member and that regulates the movement in the transversedirection of the tape taken up on the core member; and

a ring-shaped member that is arranged to be coupled with the spokemember;

wherein the ring-shaped member includes a ring-shaped stiffener membermade of metal used as a stiffener material and includes a cover membermade of resin that covers the ring-shaped stiffener member.

By the above configuration, the ring-shaped stiffener member made ofmetal is disposed as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member thatis arranged on the periphery of the reel main body, and the core memberis coupled with the ring-shaped member, that is the ring-shapedstiffener member made of metal, by a plurality of spoke members.

As a result, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal usedas a stiffener material functions as a reinforcing member, the specifiedmechanical strength can be maintained for the entire reel, thuspreventing the reel from being damaged by mechanical shock.

Moreover, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal functionsas a reinforcing member, even in the case in which external pressure ormechanical shock is applied to the reel during transportation, each sideplate section of the reel is not bent or deformed. Therefore, a distancebetween the both side plate sections of the reel is not changed, thuspreventing the edge sections in the transverse direction of a tape frombeing damaged or broken.

Consequently, in the case in which a film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components is used as a tape for instance, the edge sectionsin the transverse direction of the film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components can be prevented from being damaged or broken,thus preventing the wiring pattern from being damaged.

Furthermore, the core member and the spoke member are both made ofresin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal used as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member is covered with the covermember made of resin.

As a result, since each section that comes into contact with a tape ismade of resin, metal dust does not occur unlike a conventional aluminumreel even in the case of rubbing contact between reels or between a reeland a tape, thus preventing metal powder from adhering to the tape.

Consequently, in the case in which the reel is used for a film carriertape for mounting electronic components, metal powder of aluminum doesnot occur unlike a conventional aluminum reel. Accordingly, such metalpowder of aluminum does not adhere to the film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components, thus preventing a short circuit of a wiringpattern.

The ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal is disposed as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member that is arranged on theperiphery of the reel main body, thus including a metal section as astiffener material. The side plate sections for holding the both edges(the edge sections in the transverse direction) of a tape are configuredby a plurality of spoke members that are arranged radially.

As a result, the greater part of a region that configures the side platesections, that is a face plate section, is ensured as a space betweenthe spoke members, thus reducing the total weight of the reel.

Moreover, the reel of the present invention is characterized in that thespoke member and the core member are detachably attached to each other.

By the above configuration, the spoke member and the core member can beformed in each separate body and combined with each other as an integralstructure. In the case in which the spoke members have been attached tothe core member with screws and any one of the spoke members is damagedor broken, only the damaged spoke member can be detached and exchangedeasily. Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the reel can beimproved, and the specified strength and dimensional accuracy of thereel can be ensured.

Moreover, since the spoke member and the core member can be formed ineach separate body, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified andmade compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal mold.

Furthermore, the reel of the present invention is characterized in thatthe spoke member and the ring-shaped member are detachably attached toeach other.

By the above configuration, the spoke member and the ring-shaped membercan be formed in each separate body and combined with each other as anintegral structure. In the case in which any one of the spoke members orthe ring-shaped member is damaged or broken, only the damaged member canbe detached and exchanged easily. Consequently, the maintenanceefficiency of the reel can be improved.

Moreover, since the spoke member and the ring-shaped member can beformed in each separate body, the structure of a metal mold can besimplified and made compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal mold.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat the cover member made of resin is configured by a plurality ofdivided sections arranged in the circular direction.

By the above configuration, in the case in which the cover member madeof resin in the ring-shaped member is damaged or broken, only thedamaged divided section can be detached and exchanged easily.Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the reel can be improved.

Moreover, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified and madecompact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form the covermember in the case in which the cover member is configured by dividedsections of a size arranged in the circular direction, thus reducing acost of the metal mold.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat the divided section includes an internal divided section that isarranged at the internal surface side of the reel main body and anexternal divided section that is arranged at the external surface sideof the reel main body.

By the above configuration, since only the internal divided section andthe external divided section that configure the cover member can bedetached from the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal used as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member, the cover member can beeasily attached or detached, the structure of a metal mold is notcomplicated, a partial exchange is possible, and a manufacturing costcan be reduced.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat a coupling position of a plurality of the divided sections arrangedin the circular direction corresponds to a coupling position of thespoke member with the ring-shaped member.

By the above configuration, in the fabrication of the reel, a couplingsection of the edges of the divided sections arranged in the circulardirection and a coupling section of the spoke member are fixed to eachother, thus simplifying a fabrication process and improving themechanical strength of the reel.

Moreover, since a coupling section of the edges of the divided sectionsarranged in the circular direction is not located in the space betweenthe spoke members, the mechanical strength of the reel is not lowered.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat the ring-shaped stiffener member is sectionally L-shaped.

By making the ring-shaped stiffener member to be sectionally L-shaped asdescribed above, the mechanical strength such as flexural strength forthe ring-shaped stiffener member can be improved, thus preventing theside plate sections of the reel from being bent.

By the above configuration, the edge sections in the transversedirection of a tape can be effectively prevented from being damaged orbroken.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat a stiffener material made of metal is disposed in the spoke member.

As described above, since a stiffener material made of metal is disposedin the spoke member, the metal stiffener material functions as areinforcing member. In addition, the stiffener material is coupled withthe ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal of the ring-shapedmember, thus further improving the reinforcing function and themechanical strength of the side plate sections of the reel.Consequently, the side plate sections of the reel can be prevented frombeing bent.

By the above configuration, the edge sections in the transversedirection of a tape can be effectively prevented from being damaged orbroken.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat a stiffener material made of metal is disposed in the core member.

As described above, since a stiffener material made of metal is disposedin the core member, the metal stiffener material functions as areinforcing member, thus further improving the reinforcing function ofthe entire reel and preventing the side plate sections of the reel frombeing bent.

By the above configuration, the edge sections in the transversedirection of a tape can be effectively prevented from being damaged orbroken.

Still further, the reel of the present invention is characterized inthat the core member is configured by a plurality of divided sectionsarranged in the circular direction.

By the above configuration, even in the case in which the core member isdamaged or broken, only the damaged divided section can be exchanged,thus simplifying a maintenance process.

Still further, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified and madecompact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form the coremember in the case in which the core member is configured by dividedsections of a size arranged in the circular direction, thus extremelyreducing a cost of the metal mold.

Effect of the Invention

By the present invention, the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metalis disposed as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member that isarranged on the periphery of the reel main body, and the core member iscoupled with the ring-shaped member, that is the ring-shaped stiffenermember made of metal, by a plurality of spoke members.

As a result, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal usedas a stiffener material functions as a reinforcing member, the specifiedmechanical strength can be maintained for the entire reel, thuspreventing the reel from being damaged by mechanical shock.

Moreover, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal functionsas a reinforcing member, even in the case in which external pressure ormechanical shock is applied to the reel during transportation, each sideplate section of the reel is not bent or deformed. Therefore, a distancebetween the both side plate sections of the reel is not changed, thuspreventing the edge sections in the transverse direction of a tape frombeing damaged or broken.

Consequently, in the case in which a film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components is used as a tape for instance, the edge sectionsin the transverse direction of the film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components can be prevented from being damaged or broken,thus preventing the wiring pattern from being damaged.

Furthermore, the core member and the spoke member are both made ofresin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal used as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member is covered with the covermember made of resin.

As a result, since each section that comes into contact with a tape ismade of resin, metal dust does not occur unlike a conventional aluminumreel even in the case of rubbing contact between reels or between a reeland a tape, thus preventing metal powder from adhering to the tape.

Consequently, in the case in which the reel is used for a film carriertape for mounting electronic components, metal powder of aluminum doesnot occur unlike a conventional aluminum reel. Accordingly, such metalpowder of aluminum does not adhere to the film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components, thus preventing a short circuit of a wiringpattern.

The ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal is disposed as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member that is arranged on theperiphery of the reel main body, thus including a metal section as astiffener material. The side plate sections for holding the both edges(the edge sections in the transverse direction) of a tape are configuredby a plurality of spoke members that are arranged radially.

As a result, the greater part of a region that configures the side platesections, that is a face plate section, is ensured as a space betweenthe spoke members, thus reducing the total weight of the reel.

By the present invention, the spoke member and the core member can beformed in each separate body and combined with each other as an integralstructure. In the case in which the spoke members have been attached tothe core member with screws and any one of the spoke members is damagedor broken, only the damaged spoke member can be detached and exchangedeasily. Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the reel can beimproved, and the specified strength and dimensional accuracy of thereel can be ensured.

Moreover, since the spoke member and the core member can be formed ineach separate body, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified andmade compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal mold.

By the present invention, the cover member made of resin is configuredby a plurality of divided sections arranged in the circular direction.Consequently, in the case in which the cover member made of resin in thering-shaped member is damaged or broken, only the damaged dividedsection can be detached and exchanged easily. Consequently, themaintenance efficiency of the reel can be improved.

Moreover, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified and madecompact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form the covermember in the case in which the cover member is configured by dividedsections of a size arranged in the circular direction, thus extremelyreducing a cost of the metal mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a reel related to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the reel shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a divided section that configures a cover member adopted inan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(A) is a disassemblingperspective view showing an internal divided section and an externaldivided section that configure the divided section. FIG. 4(B) is aperspective view showing the divided section in which the internaldivided section and the external divided section that are shown in FIG.4(A) are combined with each other.

EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS

-   2: core member-   4: spoke member-   4 a: rib-   4 b: inner surface-   6: ring-shaped member-   8: bearing-   8 a: notch groove-   10: reel-   10 al : reel main body-   12; rib-   14: ring-shaped stiffener member-   15: cover member-   18: divided section-   18 a: internal divided section-   18 b: external divided section

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a reel 10 related to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The reel 10 of the present invention is, in particular, a large sizereel that is used for taking up a film carrier tape, a rape-shapedinsulating film, a spacer tape (hereafter simply referred to as “alengthy tape”) or the like, in the case in which;

-   (1) a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components is    manufactured,-   (2) an electronic component such as an IC chip is mounted on the    film carrier tape, or-   (3) a film carrier tape or a film carrier tape on which an IC chip    has been mounted is transported, stored, or used.

In the reel 10 shown in FIG. 1, in the case in which a lengthy tape (notshown) is taken up on the reel 10, each section that is in contact withthe lengthy tape is made of synthetic resin as described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reel 10 is configured by a reel main body 10 a.The reel main body 10 a is mainly composed of a core member 2, on whicha lengthy tape with a length of the range of 80 to 200 m is taken up,and a pair of wheel-shaped side plate forming members disposed on theboth sides in the axis direction of the core member 2. The side plateforming members on both sides of the core member 2 have the samestructure.

That is to say, the side plate forming members disposed on the bothsides of the core member 2 are mainly composed of a plurality of (sixpieces in the present embodiment) spoke members 4 disposed radially fromthe core member 2 and a ring-shaped member 6 with which the spokemembers 4 are coupled at the positions of the peripheral edges of thespoke members 4.

The spoke members 4 are formed by resin and provided with many ribs 4 aon the external surface. In particular, a pitch between ribs 4 a is madeshorter at the both edges of the spoke members 4 that are sectionsattached to the core member 2 and the ring-shaped member 6,respectively, in such a manner that the both edges are strengthened.

Since the spoke members 4 are provided with many ribs 4 a as describedabove, the spoke members 4 include spaces in the main body, thuslightening the spoke members 4 and reducing the amount of resinmaterial. In addition, the ribs 4 a can improve the structural strengthof the spoke members 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner surface 4 b of the spoke members 4 isflat. As shown in FIG. 2, a width H of the spoke members 4 is set tocomparatively wide. Consequently, the spoke members 4 made of resin canbe kept to be highly strengthened.

Although the spoke members 4 have a shape of a linear plate in thisembodiment, a shape of the spoke members 4 can be suitably modified, forexample, to be a curved plate shape.

As resin making the spoke members 4 and the core member 2, ABS,polystyrene, polypropylene, polyphenylene ether, polycarbonate,polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, or the like can be used. However, thematerial is not restricted to them.

The core member 2 on which a lengthy tape is taken up is formed to bealmost cylindrically shaped and is provided with a bearing 8 for fixingthe reel 10 on a center shaft. Notch grooves 8 a are formed on the innersurface of the bearing 8. By engaging protrusions that are formed on adriving shaft coupled with a driving motor (not shown) with the notchgrooves 8 a, the bearing 8 and the driving shaft are positioned andlocked with each other using the notch grooves 8 a. By such aconfiguration, the reel 10 is rotated with the driving force of thedriving motor.

In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in order to attachthe base edges of the spoke member 4 to the core member 2, six pairs ofribs 12, two ribs per one spoke member 4 are formed radially between thecore member 2 and the bearing 8. In addition, this rib 12 is formed toextend to both side of axial direction of the core member 2.Furthermore, the number and shape of the ribs 12 are not restricted tothe present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ring-shaped member 6 that configures theperipheral section of the reel main body 10 a is provided with aring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal used as a stiffenermaterial and with a cover member 15 made of resin for covering thering-shaped stiffener member 14.

In this case, the material of the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is notrestricted provided that it is made of metal. For instance, a metalstiffener material such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, and magnesiumalloy can be used.

The ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is preferably made ofaluminum or aluminum alloy. In the case in which the ring-shapedstiffener member 14 is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, thering-shaped stiffener member 14 is light and has appropriate strength.

As a method for covering the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made ofmetal with the cover member 15 made of resin, the ring-shaped stiffenermember 14 made of metal can be covered with resin as an integralstructure by the insert forming.

However, as described later, it is preferable that the cover member 15is provided in such a manner that the ring-shaped stiffener member 14made of metal is detachably attached to the external surface of the rib4 a of the reel main body 10 a. By such a configuration, the covermember 15 can be exchanged even in the case in which the cover member 15is damaged or broken.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal issectionally L-shaped, and an arm side 14 a of the ring-shaped stiffenermember 14 is fitted into a depression 4 c on the inner surface 4 b ofthe spoke members 4 in such a manner that the inner surface 4 b of thespoke members 4 and the arm side 14 a of the ring-shaped stiffenermember 14 become flat.

By making the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 to be sectionally L-shapedas described above, the mechanical strength such as flexural strengthfor the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 can be improved, thus preventingthe side plate section of the reel 10 from being bent.

By the above configuration, the edge sections in the transversedirection of a tape can be effectively prevented from being damaged orbroken.

In the present embodiment, an arm side 14 a of the sectionally L-shapedring-shaped stiffener member 14 is fitted into a depression 4 c on theinner surface 4 b of the spoke member 4. However, it is also possiblethat the entire inner surface 4 b of the spoke member 4 is made flat andthe arm side 14 a of the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is arranged atthe external surface side of the spoke member 4.

In such a case, the cover member 15 is made of resin and the kind ofsuch resin is not restricted. For instance, ABS, polystyrene,polypropylene, polyphenylene ether, polycarbonate, polyethyleneterephthalate, nylon, or the like can be used for the cover member 15.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover member15 is composed of a plurality of (six pieces in the present embodiment)divided sections 18 separated in the circular direction (not configuredin one body).

As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the divided section 18 that configuresthe cover member 15 is composed of an internal divided section 18 asectionally L-shaped that is arranged at the internal surface side ofthe reel main body 10 a and an external divided section 18 b sectionallyL-shaped that is arranged at the external surface side of the reel mainbody 10 a. The shapes of the internal divided section 18 a and theexternal divided section 18 b are complementary to each other.

In order to configure the cover member 15, six pieces of the dividedsections 18 composed of the internal and external divided sections 18 aand 18 b are arranged in the circular direction of the ring-shapedstiffener member 14 in such a manner that the edges of the adjacentdivided sections 18 are abutted to each other.

Although six pieces of the divided sections 18 are used in the presentembodiment, the number of the divided sections 18 are not restricted butcan be suitably modified.

Consequently, one piece of the divided section 18 can also be used forconfigure the cover member 15, which is configured by one internaldivided section 18 a and one external divided section 18 b.

Moreover, divided sections 18 with different sizes can also be used forconfigure the cover member 15. However, in the case in which dividedsections 18 of a size are arranged in the circular direction toconfigure the cover member 15, only one type of a metal mold is requiredto form the divided sections 18, thus reducing a cost of the metal mold.

As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the divided section 18 is formed byputting together the opening edge surface sides of the internal dividedsection 18 a and the external divided section 18 b, that is, the surfacesides facing to the ring-shaped stiffener member 14. To attach theinternal divided section 18 a and the external divided section 18 b toeach other, an adhesive can be applied between the opening edgesurfaces, a protrusion can be fitted into a depression, or a screwmember can be used.

By the above configuration, even in the case in which the resin covermember 15 of the ring-shaped member 6 is damaged or broken, only thedamaged divided section 18 can be exchanged, that is, it is onlyrequired that the internal divided section 18 a and the external dividedsection 18 b of the damaged divided section 18 are detached, thussimplifying a maintenance process.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the reel 10 related to the presentembodiment, a coupling position 18 c of a plurality of the dividedsections 18 arranged in the circular direction corresponds to a couplingposition of the spoke member 4 with the ring-shaped member 6.

By the above configuration, in the fabrication of the reel 10, acoupling section of the edges of the divided sections 18 arranged in thecircular direction and a coupling section of the spoke member 4 arefixed to each other, thus simplifying a fabrication process andimproving the mechanical strength of the reel 10.

Moreover, since a coupling section of the edges of the divided sections18 arranged in the circular direction is not located in the spacebetween the spoke members 4, the mechanical strength of the reel 10 isnot lowered.

The configuration of the reel 10 related to the present embodiment hasbeen described above, and the fabrication of the reel 10 will bedescribed in the following. However, the fabrication of the reel 10 isnot restricted to the present embodiment.

First, the core member 2 made of resin, the spoke member 4 made ofresin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal are formedin each separate body.

Next, the spoke members 4 of the specified number are radially attachedto the both sides in the axis direction of the core member 2, that is,to the ribs 12 of the core member 2, with screw members 20. As shown inFIG. 3, the screw members 20 can be lengthy screw members that penetratethrough the rib 12 in the axis direction of the core member 2.Alternatively, it is also possible that short screw members 20 arescrewed from the both sides of the rib 12.

The ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is then attached tothe edge of the spoke members 4, that is, to the peripheral side of thereel 10, with screw members 22. When the ring-shaped stiffener member 14is attached to the spoke members 4, six pieces of the divided sections18 made of resin can be simultaneously attached to the periphery of thering-shaped stiffener member 14. That is to say, while the internaldivided section 18 a and the external divided section 18 b are combinedwith each other, the spoke members 4 and the ring-shaped stiffenermember 14 can be combined with each other. The fabrication of the reel10 is thus completed.

It is also possible that the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 and sixpieces of the divided sections 18 are combined with each other inadvance, and this fabricated peripheral unit section is then attached tothe spoke members 4.

As described earlier, it is preferable that a coupling position 18 c ofa plurality of the divided sections 18 arranged in the circulardirection corresponds to a coupling position of the spoke member 4 withthe ring-shaped member 6 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is to say, itis preferable that the coupling position of the divided sections 18corresponds to the center in the transverse direction of the spokemember 4.

By the above configuration, the both edges in the circular direction ofone divided section 18 can be attached to the spoke members 4 with thescrew members 22 as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is required that the edge of the screw member 22does not protrude to the side of the tape housing section in such amanner that the tape is not damaged or broken. In the case in which theinternal divided section 18 a and the external divided section 18 b arecombined with each other, an adhesive can be applied to the couplingsections at the edges in the circular direction of the internal dividedsection 18 a and the external divided section 18 b and to the openingedge surface sides of the internal divided section 18 a and the externaldivided section 18 b. That is to say, an adhesive can be applied betweenthe edge surfaces facing to the ring-shaped stiffener member 14.

In thus configured reel 10 related to the present embodiment, thering-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is disposed as a stiffenermaterial in the ring-shaped member 6 that is arranged on the peripheryof the reel main body 10 a, and the core member 2 is coupled with thering-shaped member 6, that is, with the ring-shaped stiffener member 14made of metal, by a plurality of spoke members 4.

As a result, since the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metalused as a stiffener material functions as a reinforcing member, thespecified mechanical strength can be maintained for the entire reel,thus preventing the reel from being damaged by mechanical shock.

Moreover, since the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metalfunctions as a reinforcing member, even in the case in which externalpressure or mechanical shock is applied to the reel 10 duringtransportation, each side plate section of the reel 10 is not bent ordeformed. Therefore, a distance between the both side plate sections ofthe reel 10 is not changed, thus preventing the edge sections in thetransverse direction of a tape from being damaged or broken.

Consequently, in the case in which a film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components is used as a tape for instance, the edge sectionsin the transverse direction of the film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components can be prevented from being damaged or broken,thus preventing the wiring pattern from being damaged.

Furthermore, the core member 2 and the spoke member 4 are both made ofresin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal used as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member 6 is covered with the covermember 15 made of resin.

As a result, since each section that comes into contact with a tape ismade of resin, metal dust does not occur unlike a conventional aluminumreel even in the case of rubbing contact between reels or between a reeland a tape, thus preventing metal powder from adhering to the tape.

Consequently, in the case in which the reel is used for a film carriertape for mounting electronic components, metal powder of aluminum doesnot occur unlike a conventional aluminum reel. Accordingly, such metalpowder of aluminum does not adhere to the film carrier tape for mountingelectronic components, thus preventing a short circuit of a wiringpattern.

The ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is disposed as astiffener material in the ring-shaped member 6 that is arranged on theperiphery of the reel main body 10 a, thus including a metal section asa stiffener material. The side plate sections for holding the both edges(the edge sections in the transverse direction) of a tape are configuredby a plurality of spoke members 4 that are arranged radially.

As a result, the greater part of a region that configures the side platesections, that is a face plate section, is ensured as a space betweenthe spoke members 4, thus reducing the total weight of the reel.

By the present invention, the spoke member 4 and the core member 2 canbe formed in each separate body and combined with each other as anintegral structure. In the case in which the spoke members 4 have beenattached to the core member 2 with screws and any one of the spokemembers 4 is damaged or broken, only the damaged spoke member 4 can bedetached and exchanged easily. Consequently, the maintenance efficiencyof the reel can be improved, and the specified strength and dimensionalaccuracy of the reel can be ensured.

Moreover, since the spoke member 4 and the core member 2 can be formedin each separate body, the structure of a metal mold can be simplifiedand made compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal mold.

By the present invention, the cover member 15 made of resin isconfigured by a plurality of the divided sections 18 arranged in thecircular direction, and the divided section 18 is composed of theinternal divided section 18 a that is arranged at the internal surfaceside of the reel main body 10 a and the external divided section 18 bthat is arranged at the external surface side of the reel main body 10a. By such a configuration, even in the case in which the resin covermember 15 of the ring-shaped member 6 is damaged or broken, only thedamaged divided section 18 can be exchanged, that is, it is onlyrequired that the internal divided section 18 a and the external dividedsection 18 b of the damaged divided section 18 are detached, thussimplifying a maintenance process.

Moreover, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified and madecompact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form the covermember 15 in the case in which the cover member 15 is configured bydivided sections of a size arranged in the circular direction, thusextremely reducing a cost of the metal mold.

While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed above, the present invention is not restricted to theembodiment. For example, while a large size reel used for manufacturinga film carrier tape has been particularly described in the embodimentabove, the present reel structure can also be applied to a middle sizereel such as a reel for delivering to customers, and applied to the casein which a lengthy tape for other applications is used.

The external shape of the core member 2, the external shape and thenumber of the spoke members 4, and the sectional shape of the dividedsection 18 of the cover member 15 are not restricted.

For the reel of the present invention, a stiffener material made ofmetal can also be disposed in the spoke member.

As described above, in the case in which a stiffener material made ofmetal is disposed in the spoke member, the metal stiffener materialfunctions as a reinforcing member. In addition, the stiffener materialis coupled with the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal of thering-shaped member, thus further improving the reinforcing function andthe mechanical strength of the side plate section of the reel.Consequently, the side plate section of the reel can be prevented frombeing bent.

By the above configuration, the edge sections in the transversedirection of a tape can be effectively prevented from being damaged orbroken.

Furthermore, for the reel of the present invention, a stiffener materialmade of metal can also be disposed in the core member.

As described above, in the case in which a stiffener material made ofmetal is disposed in the core member, the metal stiffener materialfunctions as a reinforcing member, thus further improving thereinforcing function of the entire reel and preventing the side platesection of the reel from being bent.

By the above configuration, the edge sections in the transversedirection of a tape can be effectively prevented from being damaged orbroken.

Still further, for the reel of the present invention, the core membercan be configured by a plurality of divided sections arranged in thecircular direction.

By the above configuration, even in the case in which the core member isdamaged or broken, only the damaged divided section can be exchanged,thus simplifying a maintenance process.

Still further, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified and madecompact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form the coremember in the case in which the core member is configured by dividedsections of a size arranged in the circular direction, thus extremelyreducing a cost of the metal mold.

1. A reel including a reel main body comprising: a core member made ofresin on which a lengthy tape is taken up; a spoke member made of resinthat is arranged radially on the both edges of the core member and thatregulates the movement in the transverse direction of the tape taken upon the core member; and a ring-shaped member that is arranged to becoupled with the spoke member; wherein the ring-shaped member includes aring-shaped stiffener member made of metal used as a stiffener materialand includes a cover member made of resin that covers the ring-shapedstiffener member.
 2. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the spokemember and the core member are detachably attached to each other.
 3. Areel as defined in claim 1, wherein the spoke member and the ring-shapedmember are detachably attached to each other.
 4. A reel as defined inclaim 1, wherein the cover member made of resin is configured by aplurality of divided sections arranged in the circular direction.
 5. Areel as defined in claim 1, wherein the divided section includes aninternal divided section that is arranged at the internal surface sideof the reel main body and an external divided section that is arrangedat the external surface side of the reel main body.
 6. A reel as definedin claim 4, wherein a coupling position of a plurality of the dividedsections arranged in the circular direction corresponds to a couplingposition of the spoke member with the ring-shaped member.
 7. A reel asdefined in claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped stiffener member issectionally L-shaped.
 8. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the coremember is configured by a plurality of divided sections arranged in thecircular direction.